Local Review: Bludgeon Muffin – Revolt

Local Review: Bludgeon Muffin – Revolt
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This album—more of an EP, really—is solid, standard reggae. The bass goes as deep as your headphones will let it, and the guitars cascade over with some genre-standard up-strokes and some pretty tasty solos—though some are a little long. … read more

Local Review – The Wild War – Valley Rain EP

Local Review – The Wild War – Valley Rain EP
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Listening to four songs is almost enough to get to know a band, though in this case, I feel like there might be something missing. “The Architecture,” is a cool, solemn and folksy number that really draws from The Devil Whale. … read more

Review: Gladenfold – From Dusk To Eternity

Review: Gladenfold – From Dusk To Eternity
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Even though it sounds like a smooth blend of bands from Spinefarm’s early years, Gladenfold mixes just enough power metal into their synth-driven melodic death metal to breathe life into a genre I had given up on years ago.  … read more

Review: Frantix – My Dad’s A Fuckin’ Alcoholic

Review: Frantix – My Dad’s A Fuckin’ Alcoholic
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Frantix was an early ’80s band from Colorado that blended their own take on hardcore music with standard ’80s rock. They released two 7” records during their run, and this CD collects all of that music with live tracks and unreleased demos into one place. … read more

 
 
Review: Ex-Cult – Midnight Passenger

Review: Ex-Cult – Midnight Passenger
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The moment the vocals come in on Midnight Passenger’s opening track, “Shattered Circle,” you might notice yourself thinking, “Hell yeah, young people with a new take on late seventies/early eighties L.A. punk.”  … read more

Review: Enthroned – Sovereigns

Review: Enthroned – Sovereigns
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Sit back, throw away your goddamned Deafheaven and Liturgy albums, and embrace the true progression of black metal.  … read more

Review: Dylan Champagne & The Lost Explorers – The Bones EP

Review: Dylan Champagne & The Lost Explorers – The Bones...
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The first time I heard this album, I fucking hated it. I figured that there was nothing new to be done with the original rock ‘n roll sound. The rock n’ roll and rockabilly sound has been around forever, what could they possibly do to make it innovative? Dylan Champagne and Co. manages to take a fresh perspective on the genre by adding a nice modern indie twist.  … read more

Review: Corrosion of Conformity – IX

Review: Corrosion of Conformity – IX
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This is the Corrosion of Conformity I grew up on—equal parts jam and technicality, and catchy as hell. … read more

Review: Courtney Barnett – A Sea of Split Peas

Review: Courtney Barnett – A Sea of Split Peas
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Like a collection of Cheever shorts cut to Lou Reed, this “Double EP” features the most invigorating songwriting since Joni Mitchell’s Blue.  … read more